The Lord GOD has given me
a well-trained tongue,
That I might know how to speak to the weary
a word that will rouse them.
Morning after morning
he opens my ear that I may hear;And I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
My face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let him confront me.See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?
Lo, they will all wear out like cloth,
the moth will eat them up.Who among you fears the LORD,
heeds his servant’s voice,
And walks in darkness
without any light,
Trusting in the name of the LORD
and relying on his God?All of you kindle flames
and carry about you fiery darts;
Walk by the light of your own fire
and by the flares you have burnt!
This is your fate from my hand:
you shall lie down in a place of pain.— Isaiah 50:4-11 (NAB)
Wow! I keep trying to imagine Jesus reading this in His twenties, before He started His public ministry. Did He ask a rabbi about it? Did He discuss it with His mother, Mary? Was Joseph around to ask? Did a river of conflicting emotions flow through His heart when He first thought maybe the passage was talking about Him? To know what is going to happen and living it are two different things. Regardless of the emotions, He knew with confidence that God would be there, supporting the Messiah.
The second to last verse is a reminder of humility and faith. The prideful will get their due in the last verse.
Jesus was given a large cup of sorrow, far more than His share, along with His cup of joy, He poured them both into the cup of His life. To be fully human, He willingly drank it all down to the last drop, to victory and life for us all.